Chapter one – Elena:

Slowly, her eyes opened revealing a vibrant red. All she could smell was blood. The sweet smell tingled through her nose and travelled through to her eyes, as the veins pulsed through her face. She was slightly confused as to what was going on and what her surroundings were. The faces were unrecognisable, until slowly everything came into focus. Blurred silhouettes became people and machines. She suddenly realised where she was and why she could smell so much blood. She was lying in a ward in a hospital, surrounded by blood samples and wounds coming from many different people all around her.

A cold shiver went down her spine as a strong hand gripped onto her arm. Quickly, she turned her head to see Stephan sat beside the bed. The look of his blue tinted eyes and his soft rosy lips brought back a flood of memories from that night.

"I promise, I will do everything in my power to make sure we all come back"

That was the promise Stephan made to her just before the plan to destroy Klaus went into action. She remembered that she wanted to tell him how much she loved him after that, but decided to save it for later, knowing full well that there was a high chance there would be no later. Then what happened next was amazingly unexpected and blew her mind all over again.

Stephan paused at the door as if deciding something. Then slowly but powerfully turned and walked towards Elena with his head down but with a look on his face that knew he might not have much longer left. Finally he reached Elena, who wasn't expecting to look up and see Stephan only a few centimetres away from her. The strong grip of his hands cupped her cheeks while his soft lips gently touched hers. It lasted no longer than a few seconds, but was full of meaning and emotion. The kiss got stronger and his lips were no longer gentle as he pulled her closer towards his body taking in every moment as if it was their last. Slowly, but carefully he released her lips from his, still cupping her delicate face as if it was a piece of fine china that was easily broken. His eyes locked onto hers and quietly he whispered to her "That's just in case there is no later."

She looked at Stephan wondering if he knew she was thinking about that exact moment in the chaotic night they had both experienced. The events following on from the kiss came back to her mind the more she thought about it.

She chose Stephan. That's why he was sat here and not Damon. She almost felt like crying at the memory that was hanging in her mind. Pushing the memory to the back of her head, she decided that she made the right choice. She shouldn't lose Damon. She didn't want to anyway…

Matt. What happened to Matt? She suddenly remembered the tragic event of the car crash. Matt should be alive, shouldn't he? She had made Stephan save him before her. It had brought back all of the memories of her Mum and Dad. Inside it killed her.

All of these memories, thoughts and feelings overwhelmed her and she started to feel a bit dizzy and ill.

"Elena? Are you okay?" She had almost forgotten that she wasn't alone in the room. She also didn't realise that Stephan wasn't the only visitor beside her either. Meredith was stood next to him. They both just stared at her as if she was different or something had happened to her.

"Yes, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Elena didn't see any reason why everyone would be so worried. She had survived the car crash, hadn't she? If she was alive then she must have only had a few minor injuries. Not aware of how serious her injuries had been she became angry that they were paying attention to her and not Matt.

"What's that smell? It's really strong and won't go away." All she could smell was blood. She couldn't understand it and this puzzled her.

It was only then when she realised what had actually happened and why they were taking so much notice of her. Why she could smell blood and why she had survived the car crash. The fact was that she didn't survive it. She was a vampire…